VirtualBox update adds 3D acceleration for ARM VMs and multi-window layout

Oracle has released a new maintenance update for VirtualBox, its open source virtualization software.

VirtualBox 7.1.2 is the first such point release since the launch of the VirtualBox 7.1 series earlier this month. Of course, it builds on this major release with a number of big fixes, performance improvements, and UI improvements, as well as adding some new features.

Below adds the latest version Support for a multi-window layoutgives users the opportunity to do this Choose the security method for remote viewingAnd Fixes for 3D acceleration-related quirks, including black screens in Windows VMs and various rendering issues.

A fix ensures that virtual machines are created with the new one Unattended installation The feature is properly removed while macOS (ARM) builds no longer have a beta label as the native Apple Silicon build is considered stable starting with VirtualBox 7.1.

On macOS, the native ARM build of VirtualBox for Apple Silicon now (optionally) supports 3D acceleration in guests. This addition can provide a noticeable performance boost to those virtualizing desktop Linux and Windows VMs.

Still no native VirtualBox ARM build for Linux – come on, Oracle!

Other changes include: faster NAT performance on Windows hostsFixed DHCP issues under certain guests (only when domain is empty) and better error handling when enabling automatic upgrade for Guest posts.

Finally, VirtualBox can now load saved states created for VirtualBox 7.0.x series virtual machines – those who upgraded expecting this to work and found it doesn’t need not fear have to lose previously saved (important) files states.

Further details in the official change log.

VirtualBox 7.1.2 is free, open source software for Windows, macOS (including Apple Silicon), Linux and Solaris. You can download the latest version from the official website (which has been redesigned and now includes the new VirtualBox logo and branding).

If the latest features and UI changes are not as important as convenience, an older version of VirtualBox from the Ubuntu repos can be installed on all supported versions. Just run a sudo apt install virtualbox to get it.